Squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin misdiagnosed as keratoacanthoma: A complex therapeutic course

Sometimes the differential diagnosis between squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin and keratoacapthoma may be difficult, making the therapeutic strategy complex, when it has to face erroneous diagnostic interpretations. A paradigmatic case is herein reported. A skin lesion histopathologically diagnosed as keratoacanthoma was irradiated with partial remission. Histological revision led to the diagnosis of squamous-cell carcinoma. A new course of radiotherapy resulted ineffective. The following surgical excision of the lesion was incomplete. Post-operative radiotherapy was then performed with complete remission, still persisting after one year from the end of treatment.